How much does it cost to plant a tree?

Hollywood loves to depict the idyllic home as one with a big tree in the front yard with a tire swing hanging from it. Now, if that tree wasn’t already there when you bought the home, it’s not likely you’re going to have a tire swing any time soon. But planting a tree is a gift that can keep on giving to generations, and is a nice way to make a more permanent impact on your home.

Not only does planting a tree make an aesthetic and environmental improvement, but it can also add value to your home. That said, it’s not free, and it’s not exactly cheap, either. The cost of planting a tree can be quite affordable, and it can be more expensive than you’d expect, depending on the size, species, and more important factors.

What is the average cost to plant a tree?

The average cost of planting a tree is $300, although it may range from $150 to several thousand dollars. There are a number of factors that impact the cost, but the most significant factor is tree maturity.

It makes sense if you think about it, right? Planting a little sapling is a lot less work than bringing in a fully mature maple tree and stamping it down in the backyard. Not only is a large tree a lot more labor-intensive to plant, but introducing such a significant organism into your backyard could fundamentally change its ecosystem, meaning you may want to consult an arborist and landscaper to understand how this tree may impact the rest of the yard. These trees could also be subject to city regulation. All told, planting a large tree may cost up to $3,500.

Planting a sapling under the age of two, on the other hand, typically has an upfront cost of about $100, including planting. You just have to be patient.

Factors that impact cost of planting a tree

We just touched on the most significant indicator of tree-planting cost — the size of the tree — but there are a number of other factors to consider.

Size of the tree

To reiterate the point, the larger and more mature the tree, the higher the price. A tree over 10 feet tall will typically cost more than $2,000 to plant because of the equipment and labor needed to identify a suitable spot and dig a suitable hole.

Saplings, as we mentioned, are much less expensive and you can probably do it yourself. (Although even hiring a professional planting service won’t set you back very much.) A medium-sized tree ranging from 5 to 10 feet will cost an average of $250.

Tree type

Another significant impact on the cost to plant a tree is the type of tree you’re planting. Maintenance may be significantly more expensive for evergreen trees than deciduous trees, for instance, because evergreen trees require much more water.

Let’s look at what you might expect to pay for different types of trees:

• Fruit trees: Some fruit trees are more expensive than others and if you want fresh fruit growing from them, you’ll probably want to consult an arborist to figure out where to plant the tree and understand what kind of maintenance the tree will need. When you factor in this and labor, it may cost anywhere from $150 to $500.

• Evergreen trees: Planting a young evergreen tree will cost about $100 without hiring an arborist or professional to do it for you. (An older tree will cost much more as you’ll need to hire professionals.) They’re more expensive to maintain, especially in warmer climates, because they need a lot of water to grow and don’t tolerate droughts.

• Ornamental trees: You could purchase and plant an ornamental tree for as little as $60, while more in-demand trees like redbuds or serviceberries will cost about $125 to plant yourself.

• Shade trees: If you’re looking to add a tree to shade your outdoor areas and keep sunlight from heating up your home in the summer, you can expect to pay about $115 on average without hiring an arborist.

Number of trees

Obviously, the more trees you get, the more you should expect to spend. The more you plant, however, the less you’ll pay per tree due to bulk pricing from distributors and landscapers.

Tree location

Where you plant trees will impact the potential labor costs of planting a tree. If you want to put a tree in an area of the yard that’s difficult to access, or that’s on a slope or retaining wall, it’s going to be harder for landscapers to do the job. The longer it takes, the more you can expect to spend.

Likewise, if the soil is rocky and difficult to dig, you can expect to spend more on tree planting. Take note if you’re in an urban area, as soil is often tougher to work with.

Related: How to protect your garden from animals

Transport fees

You may be able to bring a sapling home from a nursery and plant it in your backyard yourself without paying any transport fees. A mature tree, however, will probably not fit in your truck. And if you’re getting a non-native tree shipped from another part of the country or world, you’ll definitely pay more in transport fees.

For a typical transport of a tree that’s too big to fit in your car, expect to pay between $100 and $175.

Permits

Whenever you dig a hole, you might hit buried utility lines or pipes. Before you dig to plant a tree, call 811 to get utility workers to come out to identify the location of underground lines. (It’s free.)

Bigger trees, however, may be subject to local regulations. You may need a permit to dig a larger hole or get one for the specific type of tree you’d like to plant. If you hire professionals to do the planting, they’ll roll any permit fees into their overall charges.

Tree removal

Sometimes, you’re not just adding a tree, you’re replacing another one. Diseased, overgrown, or dead trees may need to be removed before you can put in a new one. The cost of removing a tree may range from $200 to $2,000 depending on the size of the tree. If you just have a stump, the average stump removal costs $327.

Maintenance expenses

While you can plant a tree for relatively little upfront, maintenance costs will vary significantly. Again, these are largely impacted by climate (does it rain a lot or will you have to water trees manually) and tree maturity.

Irrigation

Mature trees can go longer without water. New ones, however, need regular watering to establish roots. If you’re in a rainy part of the world, you may not have to worry about that. But if it’s drier where you are, you may need to put in an irrigation system to ensure your tree(s) are being watered regularly. You can certainly drag the hose around and do it yourself every few days, but it’s less of an inconvenience to build irrigation.

Installing an irrigation system may cost anywhere from $1,675 to $3,550, and that doesn’t include the additional cost of water.

Additional landscaping

A tree — especially a mature tree — can fundamentally alter your property’s landscape. As such, you may need to invest as the tree grows to weed, add new flower beds, or even plant a new lawn. (Certain types of trees are notorious for draining nutrients from grass, preventing it from growing.)

Annual landscaping could cost more than $1,000, while annual tree trimming is likely to be around $600.

Related: Landscaping ideas for curb appeal

Tips for saving money to plant a tree

The easiest way to save money when planting a tree is to do it yourself. Do the research to understand what types of trees thrive in your climate, identify an open, fertile space to plant your tree, and buy a sapling. You may pay a little more in upfront maintenance costs to water and care for the tree, but it will be much less than hiring professionals to plant a mature tree.

FAQs

Should I plant the tree myself or hire someone?

You can plant a sapling yourself without too much trouble and save some money. It’s not fool-proof, however, so make sure to do some research.

If you want to plant a mature tree, hire the pros.

Is it worth planting a tree?

You tell us! Trees offer aesthetic benefits, certainly, but they can also be practical ways to provide shade outdoors, keep your house cooler in the summer, add privacy to your property, or give the kids another thing to play with outdoors. Only you can say what the benefits of a tree are worth.

Does the tree species affect the cost?

Tree species have a significant impact on cost. Native trees that don’t require transport will typically cost less than non-native ones. Deciduous trees tend to be less expensive than evergreen trees, fruit trees vary in cost depending on demand, and some ornamental trees are more lavish and therefore more expensive than others.